Killymurris win thrilling Nelson Cup final by a shot

Having already wrapped up the league title, thanks to a four-point haul in their final match against Harryville Men's Fellowship - the Glarryford side completed the second part of their trophy haul with a nail-biting single shot success against First Broughshane, in the impressive surroundings of the Second Broughshane hall.

There was a strong indication of just how little there was between the sides as Glarryford led by a single shot, 25-24, at the interval, which comes after seven ends under the format of the competition.

And it was no less exciting in the second instalment as the rinks faced different opposition over another seven-end battle.

That particular tussle finished all square, 24-24, with the outcome not determined until the very last bowl.

David Shields' Broughshane rink was the last to finish, needing two shots to tie the match and force all the rinks to have to play a tie end

He was lying a single shot but, as a hushed hall waited in anticipation, his difficult long draw to get the second shot missed by inches, giving Glarryford the trophy by an overall total of 49-48.

Killymurris weren't the only winners on the night as designated charities Muckamore Abbey and George Sloan centre were each presented with cheques for 550.

First half - First Broughshane 24, Killymurris Glarryford 25: David Calderwood 5, David Dunlop 9; George Davidson 3, James McWhirter 7; James Gaston 4, Ivan McMaster 6; David Shields 12, Steven Dunlop 3.

Second half - First Broughshane 24, Killymurris Glarryford 24: Shields 4, McMaster 3; Gaston 12, Dunlop 3; Calderwood 4, McWhirter 11; Davidson 4, Dunlop 7.

LEAGUE

Killymurris Glarryford 50 (4), Harryville MF 26 (1): S Dunlop 19, T Agnew 0; I McMaster 6, R Law 15; J McWhirter 15, M Johnston 6; D Dunlop 10, W Burgess 5.

Ballymena Methodist 64 (5), Clough 'B' 15 (0): A Bacon 18, R Frew 4; M Arbuthnut 19, S Sanderson 4; G McAleese 20, G Crawford 2; J Simms 7, B McIlrath 5.

Killymurris Carnlea 45 (3), Cuningham 'B' 38 (2): T McAlonan 10, H Lynn 11; J Campbell 15, J Kerr 6; D McCullough 14, P Baird 9; I Compton 6, B Lynn 12.

First Broughshane 41 (3.5), First Ahoghill 'A' 28 (1.5): D Shields 6, D Morrison 5; G Davidson 10, W Morrison 10; D Calderwood 18, S Dennis 5; J Gaston 7, A Morrison 8.

First Ahoghill 'B' 52 (5), Craigs 17 (0): G Maybin 10, C Graham 3; J Blair 15, P Boyd 2; T Morrison 11, P Fleming 5; L McIlrath 16, H Speers 7.

TABLE

Killymurris Glarryford, played 23, points 86.5; Buckna 21-74.5; Clough 'A' 23-72; First Broughshane 23-73; Connor 22-68; Cloughwater 22-65.5; Glenwherry 22-64.5; Ballymena Methodist 23-64; Killymurris Carnlea 22-65; First Ahoghill 'A' 23-62.5; Harryville MF 23-58.5; Second Broughshane 'A' 22-58; First Ahoghill 'B' 22-61; Cuningham 'B' 23-57.5; Cullybackey Methodist 'A' 22-55.5; Grange 22-55.5; St Patrick's Ballymena 23-49.5; High Kirk 22-47.5; Cuningham 'A' 22-40.5; Craigs 21-37.5; Cullybackey Methodist B 22-37; St Patrick’s Broughshane 22-31.5; Second Broughshane ‘B’ 22-31; Clough B 22-20.